Support programme for cooperatives and mutuals in Oxfordshire to begin
Dec 15, 2025
Enterprise Oxfordshire has today (15 December) announced the launch of its Social Impact Business Support Programme – a new initiative designed to help cooperatives, mutuals, social enterprises and other organisations using alternative business models to start, scale and thrive.
Led by Enterprise Oxfordshire and delivered by OSEP CIC (the Oxfordshire Social Enterprise Partnership), itself a social enterprise bringing over 10 years of experience in supporting impact-driven enterprises.
The programme extends the successful support already operating across the Oxford City, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts.
The new initiative will offer participants a practical, hands on package of business support for existing and new organisations using alternative business models – focusing on cooperatives and mutuals – to help them start up successfully and grow.
The anticipated support is expected to include:
- One-to-one, advisory support for new and existing co operatives, mutuals and alternative businesses.
- Workshops (online and in person) – these will focus on legal structures, marketing with a mission, finance and business planning.
- Peer networking and awareness raising events with key stakeholders across the cooperative and alternative model sector.
The Social Impact Business Support Programme is due to run until the end of March 2026.
Helen Brind – Head of Business and Skills at Enterprise Oxfordshire – said: “Oxfordshire’s mission led businesses are among the most resilient and impactful in our economy. This programme will help co operatives, mutuals and social enterprises adding depth to our countywide support.
“By partnering with OSEP, we’re bringing practical support and expertise to organisations that put purpose and people at their core. From one to one advice to workshops and peer networks, this programme will give Oxfordshire’s co operatives and mutuals the tools to grow sustainably.
“For over a decade we’ve backed thousands of Oxfordshire businesses and entrepreneurs. This new programme builds on that legacy, focusing on businesses share benefits and offer greater levels of democratic member control.”
Juliet Cornford – Non-Executive Director at OSEP – added: “OSEP is delighted to deliver this new business support programme which responds directly to the growing demand for alternative business models that can drive a more inclusive, resilient economy.
“By building on government proposals to grow the number of co-operatives and mutuals in the UK, this programme champions enterprises rooted in community values, democratic ownership and shared prosperity.
“Drawing on OSEP’s extensive experience of supporting social entrepreneurs, social enterprises and purposeful businesses, working with trusted partners such as Co-op Futures, we are committed to helping founders and community businesses thrive, strengthen local economic ecosystems, and unlock lasting social impact.”
This programme follows a significant legacy of business support delivered by Enterprise Oxfordshire and OSEP for impact-driven businesses.
For over a decade, Enterprise Oxfordshire has backed thousands of the county’s businesses and entrepreneurs, that in-turn have had a positive impact on an inclusive economy.
Collectively, cooperative-style businesses play a major role in the UK economy – more than three-quarters of co-operative start-ups remain active after five years, compared to fewer than two-fifths of new companies overall.
Mutuals employ over 1.3 million people in total and generate a combined annual income of £165.7 billion.
The new programme adds further depth to that offer, focusing specifically on community owned and mission led organisations.
Funded by the Department for Business and Trade, the programme strongly aligns with the UK Government’s Small Business Strategy commitment to double the size of the co operative and mutuals sector nationwide.
Enterprise Oxfordshire became the new trading name of OxLEP on 1 April this year, with the change marking the completion of a two-year process that saw the economic development functions – previously led by Local Enterprise Partnerships – altered so that they were to be overseen via a mechanism agreed by respective upper-tier local authorities, in this instance, Oxfordshire County Council.
Since becoming Enterprise Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire County Council now act as the organisation’s 100% shareholder, known as a Teckal company arrangement.
To register an interest in the programme, head to the OSEP CIC website.